Friday's grand opening of the new Apple Store in New York's Grand Central Terminal drew a crowd of customers who lined up to be among the first to shop at the massive new retail location [updated with more pictures].

Early Friday morning, a line of about 40 people had already formed ahead of the grand opening of the store at 10 a.m. Those waiting in line stayed in a side corridor to ensure the crowd didn't get in the way of commuters using the terminal for travel.

Those at the very front of the line stayed overnight in sleeping bags to make sure they would be the first into the new retail location. Apple employees also handed out bottles of Smartwater to those in line to make sure they were hydrated.

In addition to the traditional media, an Apple camera crew was also on hand to interview those waiting in line. Wearing red t-shirts with the Apple logo on the chest, the employees spoke with customers who awaited the grand opening Friday morning.

Apple offered a first look at the store earlier this week ahead of the official opening. The open area looks down on the main concourse of Grand Central Terminal with chandeliers overhead, featuring the company's signature maple woods tables showcasing its products.

The entranceway to the store features a large, glowing Apple logo on the east balcony. Stairs to the store are above the entrance to tracks 100 through 117 and the dining concourse.

The 23,000-square-foot store will be one of Apple's largest retail locations in the world. It sits in a prime location in Grand Central Terminal, though which an estimated 700,000 people pass every day.

The Grand Central Apple Store is staffed by 315 employees and features Apple's largest Personal Setup area in the world. It also features two Genius Bars.

Following today's grand opening, normal hours for the store will be 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Thanks to AppleInsider reader Ryan for the details and pictures from Friday morning's event.

Update: Below, see more pictures of the massive crowd that formed after the store finally opened at 10 a.m.

Looks like a special family outing to Manhattan to me. Mom lets the Apple nerd kids skip school, headed in real early for a nice day in the city. Those two will be wearing the T shirts to school Monday, maybe a holiday gift in there somewhere. Remember that B&H closes at 2 on Friday for Shabbat. Hit the new Cube up on 5th ( looks great, Steve would have loved it) Get a dirty water dog in between. Dinner down on 9th, maybe. Perfect family day in the city. I miss my kids being that age.

For all his trollish-ness, I don't think ConradJoe ever said anything as offensive as this? I'm hoping this is an unfortunate auto-correct mistake.

I doubt that SolipsismX was using "queer" in the most recent sense, maybe an earlier usage where it can sub for CJ's "weirdo." Anyway, ConradJoe deserves to be mistranslated in any way possible, because he's just doing his despicable best to Gizmodo-fy the thread. For money, I'm convinced, because he spends all day at it, every day.

Edit: On topic, if I were in New York, I'd be there to see the show. Can't imagine anything more entertaining, and it has a bit of historical resonance. I mean, this ain't the Trailways bus station. First time I was there was in the 1950s with my dad. He loved the place, the way an out-of-towner always likes the big metropolitan train station. He would have flipped out to see this revival by virtue of a new generation of technology.

For all his trollish-ness, I don't think ConradJoe ever said anything as offensive as this? I'm hoping this is an unfortunate auto-correct mistake.

He called them weirdos. He implied they were abnormal and queer. These are all synonyms. Nothing in ConradJoe's hateful comment eluded to calling them homosexuals, nor does mine. Words do have multiple meaning so the context it's used is important to understand its meaning.

This bot has been removed from circulation due to a malfunctioning morality chip.

That has to be annoying for those commuting through GCT this morning. [IMG]Crowds at GC[/IMG]

But how amazing is that? All the products are available is several near by Apple stores yet crowds turn up for the unveiling of a new store. It is architecturally interesting, I agree, but this kind of enthusiasm must be the envy of the entire retail world. Impressive.

He called them weirdos. He implied they were abnormal and queer. These are all synonyms. Nothing in ConradJoe's hateful comment eluded to calling them homosexuals, nor does mine. Words do have multiple meaning so the context it's used is important to understand its meaning.

I understand the meaning of the word queer when used as an adjective, "Those people look queer", meaning odd or strange. But when used as a noun, "They are abnormal queers", it means a homosexual man.

Microsoft has quietly launched a new service to help Windows and Office users get the most out of their PCs. Answer Desk is an online version of the Answer Desks found in Microsoft's retail stores, which are in turn modeled on Apple's successful Genius Bars, providing users with personalized consulting on their computer problems.

What a wild interpretation of what Apple's Genius Bars really ARE! ~~

Knowing what you are talking about would help you understand why you are so wrong. By "Realistic" - AI Forum Member

So what is the actual incentive of waiting outside for the store opening? Are there any purchase incentives at all? Giveaways?

Just enthusiasm, I guess. Maybe there are freebies expected but people love to visit Apple stores even if they are not buying and this one looks to be very special GCS is an amazing place with or without an Apple store.

While I understand they would not all be on shift at once except perhaps for major launches the idea of having 300+ people waiting to serve you in a a one room store is pretty intense.

The comment above about 1% per day. of 700,000 that is 7,000 a day. 14hr open time. 500 an hour. 125 per 15min. Seems plausible given the staff. I suppose the average spend would be hmm hmm hmm maybe $100. 50,000 an hour, 700,000 a day. Maybe $5million a week.

Seems plausible, accounting that not all 7,000 customer would be buying, maybe genius or training to give $100 average spend.

Fark, turnover of about 250million a year. So about 75 mill after COG landed, 30mil in staff, outgoings 20. 25mil clear. 10% margin.

Hmm, pretty thin. Maybe it is a little higher. Maybe it is 20% due to higher avg spend or bit better COG landed margin

Still, it is a pretty good billboard that reaches 700,000 people a day, pays its way and makes a margin.

So what is the actual incentive of waiting outside for the store opening? Are there any purchase incentives at all? Giveaways?

Usually Apple gives away T shirts to the first hundred customers or so. They have the name of the shop on them. Check ebay for examples. Great Holiday gifts for the intelligentsia. Or for bragging rights for a pair of kids.

While I understand they would not all be on shift at once except perhaps for major launches the idea of having 300+ people waiting to serve you in a a one room store is pretty intense.

The comment above about 1% per day. of 700,000 that is 7,000 a day. 14hr open time. 500 an hour. 125 per 15min. Seems plausible given the staff. I suppose the average spend would be hmm hmm hmm maybe $100. 50,000 an hour, 700,000 a day. Maybe $5million a week.

Seems plausible, accounting that not all 7,000 customer would be buying, maybe genius or training to give $100 average spend.

Fark, turnover of about 250million a year. So about 75 mill after COG landed, 30mil in staff, outgoings 20. 25mil clear. 10% margin.

Hmm, pretty thin. Maybe it is a little higher. Maybe it is 20% due to higher avg spend or bit better COG landed margin

Still, it is a pretty good billboard that reaches 700,000 people a day, pays its way and makes a margin.

He's just acting like a cynical prick as unusual. Personally, I don't get the desire to first into a new store but I certainly don't think they are abnormal queers the way ConradJoe does.

If there was a new product launching that I felt would be hard to get ahold of I;d wait in a line. From bread to the iPad to simply having to use the bathroom lines serve their purpose.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolipsismX

That has to be annoying for those commuting through GCT this morning.

Quote:

Originally Posted by paxman

But how amazing is that? All the products are available is several near by Apple stores yet crowds turn up for the unveiling of a new store. It is architecturally interesting, I agree, but this kind of enthusiasm must be the envy of the entire retail world. Impressive.

Yes....

We must excuse the queues!

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